PPL reveal exclusive chart of Most Played Songs by West Midlands Artists

Today (Tuesday 10th December), we are excited to reveal the ‘PPL People’s Chart of the Most Played Songs of the 21st Century by West Midlands artists’.

The exclusive top 20 chart features songs that have been most played in public since the year 2000 by music artists from the region, with all genres and decades of music represented – from UB40’s reggae, to the heavy rock of Guns N’ Roses, whose guitarist Slash hails from Stoke.

Robbie Williams, also from Stoke, dominates the chart with eight songs in the top 20. But while ‘Angels’ and Rock DJ sit inside the top three, it’s James Morrison, who is originally from Rugby, that takes pole position with the critically acclaimed 2008 duet with Nelly Furtado ‘Broken Strings’.

James Morrison said: “I’m really happy that ‘Broken Strings’ has topped ‘PPL People’s Chart of Most Played Songs of the 21st Century by West Midlands artists’. To be included amongst so many fantastic British artists and friends is an honour, and knowing that so many people back home are listening to music you’ve created means the world.”

The chart also shows that despite the data being taken from 21st century airplay, there are plenty of 20th century artists featuring in this top 20, including Duran Duran’s Rio (1982), ELO’s Mr Blue Sky (1978) and Red Red Wine (1983) by UB40. The oldest song in this chart comes from Thin Lizzy – who are known as a Dublin band but are in the chart as their lead singer Phil Lynott was born in West Bromwich – with the 1976 hit, ‘The Boys Are Back In Town.’

The full top 20 includes:

1

Broken Strings – James Morrison ft Nelly Furtado

2

Angels – Robbie Williams

3

Rock DJ – Robbie Williams

4

Wonderful World – James Morrison

5

You Give Me Something – James Morrison

6

Let Me Entertain You – Robbie Williams

7

Red Red Wine – UB40

8

Mr Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

9

The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy

10

Feel – Robbie Williams

11

She’s The One – Robbie Williams

12

Millennium – Robbie Williams

13

I Won’t Let You Go – James Morrison

14

Superstar – Jamelia

15

Candy – Robbie Williams

16

Brimful of Asha (The Norman Cook Remix) – Cornershop

17

Piece Of My Heart – Beverley Knight

18

Strong – Robbie Williams

19

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses (Slash)

20

Rio – Duran Duran

Commenting on the chart, Jonathan Morrish, Director of PR and Corporate Communications PPL said: “This top twenty of most-played West Midlands songs reads like a broad cross-section of British music let alone songs from the region! Whilst the region is often overlooked in favour of Manchester or Liverpool, this list is a testament to the diversity of The Midlands and its importance in the history of British music.”

PPL are proud to be able to compile such varied charts; from most played The Rolling Stones hits to Queen anthems, plus festive favourites and Oscar-winning tunes. View all of our charts here.

PPL activity relating to the West Midlands also includes the introduction of two Business Relationship Executives (BREs) to the region –Tracey-Anne Baskerville (South Midlands) and Russell Thompson (North Midlands). The BRE’s have represented PPL at numerous business and industry events to explain the part that music can play in benefitting the region’s businesses. Read our press release in full.

Make sure to follow PPL on Twitter @ppluk or Linked in for exclusive chart news, and to find out what else we’ve been up to across the UK.